Champs-Élysées and Arc de Triomphe in a rental car

Chicken!! Do it peak hour Friday afternoon. As you say "YOLO".
You only get a prize if you drive DOWN the Champs Elysees, AROUND Place de la Concorde, then UP the Champs Elysees, and finally AROUND Arc de Triomphe.

Response to djp_syd: Exactly. If YOLO you can't be profligate with time!

Response to steve: even at 7am on a Saturday morning?

Check the location for the nearest psych ward - you may need it.

Yes, but maybe not so much on an early Saturday morning.

For an idea of typical, do a Google videos and a Google images search for Arc de Triomphe traffic. Then repeat for the Champs Elysees.

BTW, have you done much European traffic circle driving?

When we were at the Arc a few years back, we just watched the traffic go around, and unlike some of the videos, it moved very fast. For YOLO reasons, you might want to go around the Arc and up and down the Champs Elysees more than once!

Challenge accepted. Wifey is on board as well. I'll pick her up on the way (she prefers to sleep in). We'll drive down the Champs and around the Arc de Triomphe, back up the Champs around the Place de la Concorde, and from there to the car park. Look for pictures in June.

by the by...I have experience with traffic circles in Great Britain, Côte d'Azur, Provence, the Dordogne, and in Podunk, Utah.

I look forward to seeing the GoPro vision.

Again I point out...7am on a Saturday. Gridlock? Really?

Well, I'm going to disappoint Steve who is concerned about the safety of others--as well as yourself.

The only thing you really need to know is the traffic rules, which are different from the States. This isn't exactly the same as any ordinary two-deep traffic circle, but at 7 a.m., you should be ok. The biggest difference is that cars entering from the right have the right of way. It's called "priorite a droite". You'll see whole lines of cars stopped as others are entering from the feeder streets. If you don't follow the rules, you'll cause problems. Here's a short explanation of a couple signs and the priorite rule:
http://www.horizonmotorcycletours.co.uk/the-confusing-priorite-a-droit-rule-in-france-explained/

It's not all that bad once you are in it, and at 7 a.m. on a Saturday, it'll be calmer. Go as slowly as you need; others will just zip around you. Use your turn signal. You may as well go around as many times as you want--a victory lap. Just don't get crushed by a giant tourist bus.

One other thing: going to the Arc de Triomphe, you drive up the Champs Elysee. Then you drive down the Champs Elysee to the Place de la Concorde--you'll see the slope up and down when you're driving. djp/syd had it in bold for a reason.

I want to add a few words. I understand that others who haven't driven in Paris feel about that endeavor the way I feel about driving in Naples. I'd never have the guts to touch a wheel in Naples; their unspoken rules of the road have evolved in a way that only they understand--or so it seems to me. However, having driven in Paris a lot when younger, your plan doesn't seem crazy to me. But you are the one who has to have the confidence, which you seem to have. That said, remember to get to know your rental car on calm side streets first before taking it into heavier traffic, as well as studying and watching how others observe the traffic rules before plunging in. Bonne chance et bonne circulation.

I don't think it's crazy at all. Follow Bets advice, it's excellent as always.

As Bets says, Place Charles de Gaulle operates on the priorite a droite rule that is still around in France, though much diminished over the years. If you do plan to go around Place Charles de Gaulle, where the Arc de Triomphe is, be advised that most car insurance appears to have a special provisos for this square, ie minor knocks are treated as joint responsibility, you are only covered if you are covered, you won't be able to claim against the other driver.

I have driven a few times through Paris and once down the Champs Élysées and l’Étoile on a Sunday afternoon in my old banger and well........it was at least to say an intensive experience. It remains ofcourse your responsibility, but only do it if you have the confidence in yourself. In my old car I had not the feeling loosing much if being hit and saw it as a challenge to experience it once. Have to notice that not only the mentioned places can be risky, so be carefull anyway in Paris, Bets has good advice.

just remember that when you have had enough of going around, the people on your right - where you want to go to get off the ride - have the right of way, both those still going around and those entering, and others leaving. If you can't make the turn, go around again.

Also, as mentioned above, no lane markings of any sort. A lane can be as wide as a motorcycle, or as wide as a bus, and they change all the time.

Naples isn't so bad. It is simple. He with the biggest whatsits goes first. Really, they keep track, and know who's turn it is. You better, too. I had no more scratches and enjoyed it. My wife says we will never drive together there again. Oh well.

Jim, I think this is a fine idea, and I commend your creativity! I don't understand the concerns of safety-it's not like you were arriving from the U.S. fully jet-lagged and jumping into central Paris traffic. I look forward to your report-I may have a go at it myself someday.

And by the way folks, *WWED?

*what would Ed do?

Ha ha.. I am not the person to ever comment on driving in Paris.. I have never done so. My father was born and raised in Paris.. and when he returns to visit.. he won't drive in central Paris... he parks outside and takes metro in.. and the few family I have left that live in city.. keep their cars in long term parking and use metro etc.. just using cars for out of town trips usually. ( this is also because parking is a pain.. metro is fast and easy)

Its not just risk of injury or loss of life, that is actually not that big of a threat.. its the fact that even a small scrape on a rental car can cost you $$$$$.. As one poster said.. he took his old banger car.. so a scrape would not matter so much to him.. I would be far more paranoid about that myself if driving a rental. Take a look at the locals cars.. I see many little boo boos.. lol

Jim if you want to do that , then I guess 7 am on a Saturday would be the best time ( actually I think 7 am on sunday would be better,, but as I said,I am paranoid) , personally I have no idea what the thrill would be .. but its your trip!

Where am I, you ask? In London!!

As for driving around the Etoile, I echo every one of Bets's sage comments.

The only thing I'll add is that when I first moved here, my then-boyfriend, now-husband used to tease me and ask me why I didn't drive my Mini Cooper around the Etoile. My response was that when he was paying the car payment and the insurance, he would be welcome to drive anywhere he wanted, but while it was my car and my money, my discretion would reign!!!

Will admit that I have been there and done that but I seem to remember it was on a weekend, only remember that is was towards evening as the lights were turning on as we drove down the Champs-elysses. It was first trip to Europe and although all the tour books I had read said don't ever rent car and drive in Paris, I thought I knew better. Real rookie mistake. Drove around and around the Arch at least several times until I could back into traffic. The Champs wasn't that bad, just super congested. If you want to do it and especially early AM on weekend, do it. We did and although super nerve wracking, we survived and still talk about the experience. Second time to Paris, rented car again, thought if I did it once, can do it again but this time avoided this area. Third trip, had learned my lesson. Best of luck!

So, Jim, if I understand correctly you will pick up your rental car at CDG at 7:00am. I presume that you have confirmed the rental place will be open at 7:00. So by the time you go through the paperwork and drive into Paris your adventure on the Etoile will be after 8:00am .... likely to be more trafficky than at 7:00. But that doesn't worry you, does it?

Wow man, that's a real Lebowski --

I wouldn't recommend driving around L'Etoile unless you have done it before

Thanks everyone for the lively discussion. Actually Norma, not getting an early start does worry me. We're switching to plan B; pick up the car Friday, leave it overnight in a car park near our apartment in the Marais, and Saturday at 6:30am we'll do one circuit of the last stage of the Tour de France in Paris, with at least one "victory lap" around the Arc. PM me if you'd like a link to the GoFundMe site for the GoPro camera.

"we'll do one circuit of the last stage of the Tour de France in Paris, with at least one "victory lap" around the Arc."

Now you're talking! Have a great drive! Any particular music in mind? Edith Piaf? Perhaps some Francis Cabrel?

Soundtrack for the victory lap around the Arc will be Song 2 by Blur. Any suggestions for the rest of our circuit?

I've driven in Paris quite a bit due to necessity and here's my two cents...
You seem to be doing this out of a sense of adventure and wanting the experience - IMHO you should absolutely do it!
Early Saturday morning the traffic will be very light and I think that it won't be a problem at all. This is probably one of the most congested parts of the city but your timing is good...the stores in the area will be closed, few people will be going to work, the road will be yours.
Look at the route beforehand from where you will pick the car up, then to the Arc, and then to your hotel parking. Paris streets are laid out in a crazy way, many are one-way, and nothing is really lined up until you get close to the central districts. Then everything is in a wheel-spoke arrangement.
Do it! Circle the Arc again and again...take a video and post it to YouTube. Like you said, YOLO!!
You'll love the Vaux-le-Vicomte candlelight evening...spectacular!

jim ...... permission granted.

I've driven in Paris many times and didn't find the actual driving difficult at all. Only thing I found annoying was traffic jams. I also can read the signs which makes a difference. I know lots of people that won't drive in San Francisco... too scared. I drive in SF all the time and think it's easy. We're all different.

If you're just driving to Vaux-le_Vicomte why not just take the train? They run every half hour from Gare de Lyon. Three of us did just that last month. You can then take a cab to the chateau: the cabs are to the left of the exit of the train station. Very relaxing; great chateau to visit.

The problem isn't getting to Vaux-le-Vicomte from Paris by train, it's the return trip. The Chateau by Candlelight ends with fireworks at 11pm, and we'd like to be there. According to RS' 2011, there are extra late trains from Melun back to Paris, but only in July and August which isn't when we'll be in France. Unless things have changed since a few months ago when I checked, this is still the case. Since we're returning to Podunk early the following day, having a car seemed like the best solution. Plus, having a rental lets me do what some have suggested is both crazy and dangerous. That ticks two boxes.

On our previous trips to Europe, we've had a rental in Great Britain, the Côte d'Azur, Provence, the Dordogne, Aveyron, Languedoc, Costa Brava, and Barcelona. I've experienced traffic circles going both counter-clockwise and clockwise. I think my confidence is justified.

Finally, we'll have spent two nights in Utrecht, where the Tour de France starts this year. I've been a fan of the TdF since the days of Greg Lemond, and have seen television coverage of the last stage many times. Spending two nights in Utrecht and driving the circuit in Paris will allow me to return to highlights of my vacation in July when I'm back in Podunk.

I'll admit that I'd feel much more confident if Ed signed off on my plan.

WWED? He'd do it if it were on his route.

Ed would probably say he's done it a thousand times... even his 5 yr old grandson did it.... nothing to it.

A 3 weeks ago, I left Paris for CDG early (6.30 - 7.00) on Saturday morning, from the Marais to Gare de Lyon (city bus), to CDG (Air France bus). To say that traffic was light in the city would be an understatement.

I hang my head in shame as I report that we did not drive down the Champs-Élysées and do a victory lap around the Arc de Triomphe. When it came time to pick up the rental, we were faced with the constraint of parking in Paris and chose instead to pick up the car on our way out of Paris to Vaux-le-Vicomte. However, based on what I observed, it's totally doable if one get's an early start. With direct flights to Paris from Podunk, Utah, I vow to successfully achieve my goal on a future trip to Europe. When I do, there will be a link to the youtube video. Again, thanks to everyone for the input.

Aw, poor Jim. May be next time.